District looks to change food service program

Members of the Mecha-Maniacs Robotics Team were on hand at last week's Brush Board of Education meeting where they gave a demonstration on their latest project. (Iva Kay Horner/News-Tribune)

Students in the Brush School District will see a change in their meals in the 2014-15 school year.At last week's meeting of the Brush Board of Education (BOE), members, with approval from the Buffalo School District, agreed to enter into negotiations with Southwest Food Service Excellence (SFE), a food service company new to the State of Colorado.Currently SFE services schools in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas.Brush BOE member Dianne Cox, who also served on the RFP Food Service committee, said the decision to change companies was "a unanimous decision that a change was needed in the district…that Southwest offered the best possibility.""The general consensus was the quality of food," she stated. "All the other stuff is nice, fine and dandy, but it was the quality of food and making it more attractive to students to eat."Merino School District Superintendent Rob Sanders explained that his school board voted the night before, and while they accepted Chartwell's recommendation, the decision was to follow Brush's direction on the matter as long as his district would break even, if not make money. Additionally, his district is looking for more options for students. "Both companies provided that option for us," he told the Brush BOE, adding that only one person on his board recommended SFE. "We left it up to Brush's discretion because the only way we will see anything different in our current situation is by teaming with Brush.

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"BOE members also heard from community members regarding several issues, including concerns with coaches, the pay increase for Superintendent Dr. Michelle Johnstone and changing food service in the district.First up, and representing eight families, was Tony Miller who spoke on concerns regarding the high school baseball program.According to the parent, he came to the board for an incident involving his son and the coach. "It was very unprofessional of the coach and the person who is in charge of our kids…the other coaches did nothing about it and the kids thought they were going to have to step in," he told the board. "It's uncalled for. I don't want to personally put up with it and no kid should have to put up with it," he said of the incident that he reported involved name calling with the coach putting his hand in the player's face. "It's ridiculous how our kids have been treated this year," Miller continued.He also addressed treatment for fair play, issues within the team, team ethic, as well as members of the junior varsity team not being allowed to participate in the state tournament."There have been kids quit because of this stuff. They need a fresh coach, fresh staff, someone who's not there just for his kids," he stated, adding that the coach ended up quitting but was allowed to participate in the recent baseball banquet. "That blows me away. How can we allow that to happen?" he asked the board."We've kept our mouths shut for years and most won't say anything because of reprisal towards the kids. The kids that spoke up about this incident were treated differently the very next day," Miller stated.Also speaking up was Leslie Hirschfeld, wife of a coach who has had several kids go through the program. "The special treatment comment is ridiculous," she told the board.A former coach herself, Hirschfeld said athletics is "about life lessons…you have to learn upsets…high points. You do a disservice to kids if they don't experience upsets…if you can deal with things at the high school level, not being the starter, it will be huge for them." She continued, "When you deal with things at the high school level, it makes you a better person. You are not always going to be the best, get the job, etc."She also noted that basketball star Michael Jordan was cut from his high school team. "You have to put things in perspective. But you're right, not everyone is equal. Coaching is a tough job. When you have only nine places on the field and have 30 kids, it's hard to prioritize. It's frustrating it continues, but it's life."Also speaking about baseball was Bobby Guzman, who explained his main concern dealt with the leadership in the program provided by Brush High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Jason Strauch. "He has failed in the few years he's been here," Guzman told the BOE. "He has nurtured a culture on the team where your head coach sets covenants for the teams to follow…they are written down every year and kids bring them home, sign them and the parents read them. When you don't follow your own covenants, what do you create?" he asked the board. "The discipline on this team starts at the coaching level and filters down but discipline at the coaching level starts with Strauch," he continued. Citing an antagonistic and unprofessional attitude, Guzman said that Strauch treats families in the district differently than he treats other families, therefore creating a culture of entitlement that disrupts the team.In renewing Strauch's position in the district, Guzman asked the board to take into consideration what he has created. "We have tremendous athletes with these juniors and seniors…they are being hurt whether they know it or not in this type of culture," he concluded.As to changing food service providers, Traci Berg, who has been with the district for eight years, reported that, with Chartwell's program, the food service program has gone from the district supplementing $120,000 a year to a "rapidly growing fund balance." Additionally, she said that Chartwell's has never asked for a loan or line of credit to run the business, they guaranteed the balance will grow whether the Merino School District was added to the program or not and that the company would invest $50,000 into the high school cafeteria to make it more inviting to the students.As to why many high school students do not stay in the building for meals, she said, "Most of them tell me they want to leave and get out for a few minutes. It's hard to compete with that and increase participation," she said. "In the past five years, I have seen many people in many positions come and go, but the one thing that has remained the same and grown is the food service department.""I can't fix what I don't know is wrong," she told the BOE, adding that one of her projects is to give back to the community by coordinating the Blessings in a Backpack program for the community. She also said that a summer food service program will be held at several locations."I strongly believe in doing what's best for the kids of our district. They are my number one concern. I will pick what's doing best for kids over anything else…my paychecks may come from Chartwell's but my heart and dedication lies with the Brush School District," she stated.The topic of concern for Kathy Gutierrez was the salary increase for Dr. Johnstone, approved by the BOE in early May."This district used to be the richest around, not financially but we had teachers that loved their jobs and were here for a long time," she began. "Every year the district had to do budget cuts and this year was probably the worst."She continued that she has always done more than what was expected of her listed in her job description and never expected more pay, adding that it upsets her to see the district in turmoil and that some board members think it is okay "that we give more people thousands of dollars more of a pay increase than we do our own teachers.""I understand that our teachers get a step increase…but a $20,000 pay increase is quite considerable," she commented. "We had to cut teachers…they don't get raises of $20,000…I always thought our superintendent makes $100,000, that's way to much for anyone to make in our district." Gutierrez continued, "I get that she has taken on more responsibility. I don't see how you justify that when trying to get a Mill Levy Override (MLO) increase. You are asking us for more money but you openly give someone a considerable amount of money? How do you justify paying $120,000 a year when our students are being affected by these cuts?"She concluded, "We've got great kids. I want this district to be the richest district it used to be when I came here."The Brush News-Tribune received information regarding the superintendent's pay increase after the meeting with Dr. Johnstone explaining the increase and additional work as Director of Curriculum that she has been asked to take on.According to the superintendent, the increase to her salary for the additional time and work is $10,700. "Essentially we have been paying $88,061 total compensation (salary and benefits) for the position. We are saving $77,000 to put into the schools," she explained, adding, "This has been consistent practice as we have reorganized to save money. The timing is painful. However, we also are required by law to finalize the budget so it had a be a discussion point with the board."She continued, "Additionally, we pay overtime to classified, and when teachers tutor before/after school or teach summer school they are paid $20 to 25 per hour. We even pay teachers additional money to cover a class during their plan time. It is important to also note, everyone in the district received their step increase, and teachers taking college course work can still change lanes up to twice per year based on their credit hours."According to Dr. Johnstone, teacher step increases run $500 to 775 depending on where they are on the schedule and $590 to $1,150 for a lane change, so their pay increase can be 3.4 to 4.9 percent if they earn one or both increases and again depending on where they currently sit on the salary schedule."All staff were given a step increase including me," she commented. "Year-round employees were concerned with getting work completed so rather than reducing three days we have given up three General Leave Days and 1.5 paid holidays, so a total of 4.5 days when everyone else gave three days." Dr. Johnstone is one of the 26 year-round employees.Addressing complaints that no cuts have been made at the district office, she explained, "We have eliminated the Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Director of Transportation, and the District Office receptionist to push funds into the schools. The jobs at the district office do not just vanish if the position goes away, someone still has to do the job. We have cut right at $150,000 from the district office."In other news from the superintendent, the announcement was made that the BEST grant submitted by the district has been handed off to the state board for a "checks and balances" before final approval, which is expected in June. If awarded, the grant of $471,863.70, will allow for the much-needed replacement of boilers in both the middle and high school buildings.The Brush District will need to match the project with 34 percent or $243,081.30, bringing the project to a total of $719,945.If approved at the state level, Dr. Johnstone explained it will reduce the amount the district needs to make in budget cuts next year from $550,000 to $400,000. The superintendent also asked the board for feedback on a request from the MLO committee involving the $3,500 fee to conduct a survey. According to Dr. Johnstone, George K. Baum & Company of Denver will help with the mail survey and has reduced their fee to help with the survey. Normally, that fee runs between $10,000 and $12,000 she told the board."We want to get survey data back and decide whether to approach the board with a ballot question for the fall," the superintendent explained.Several board members felt that "community members and taxpayers need to have a say in whether or not this goes forward," while others were concerned about making budget cuts and then asking the community to support the MLO."The biggest thing is to show our support and be willing to support their function," Warren Walker stated. "They don't have time to go out and raise the money. If they get the MLO passed, it's good for us. If not, did we hold it up by not helping with $3,500? My opinion is they need our support, we move forward and help them out."Although board member John Trujillo believes it will be a "tough sell," Margo Mesch feels the "community needs to have that say…I would feel much more comfortable knowing what our community is saying and thinking." Marty Stratman added, "I think the survey would probably let you know where the temperature is in the community. I look at it as an investment to see if it's going to pay off for sure."Board members agreed to move forward with the survey request.A financial report was presented by School Business Officer Aaron Oberg who said that the General Fund is just above the $376,000 that the district needs to have in its account. "We'll see that peak dramatically in May as the one-time payments of full property taxes are received."Oberg has no further concerns on where the district sits with the budget, with the district also to receive some additional revenue it was not anticipating, including flood relief funds. He noted a check for $11,400 had been received from Pinnacle Assurance, the district's workman compensation, for a little over the 20 percent dividend as the district's losses were very small.He also explained that the bill for Centennial BOCES will dramatically reduce for next year. With this savings, the district was able to add back the elementary art teaching position for next year which previously had been cut due to budget reductions.Employment matters consisted of accepting resignations of Ken Garcia from his position as BHS head boys basketball coach, Jordan Tunney from his BMS social studies teaching position, Tawny Talkington, BMS Special Education teacher, Mary Alice George as BHS Drama Club sponsor and Janet Armstrong from her position as custodian at Beaver Valley Elementary School.Renewal contracts for certified staff and classified staff for the next school year were approved, as were employment for Camille Quinlin as a first grade teacher at Thomson Primary, Mac McGraw as a science teacher at the middle school, Kristin Crumley in language arts at the middle school, Larissa Seewald and Yvonne Jude as preschool teachers at Thomson, Leon Hlozek as a special education teacher at the high school, Chelsea Willemsen as math teacher at the high school and Julia Hollis as a special education paraprofessional at the high school. Business items found the board approving contracts for all administrators including BHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Jason Strauch, BHS Principal Dan Kennedy, BMS Principal Connie Dreitz, Beaver Valley Principal Jennifer Kral and Thomson Primary Principal Dave Uhrig.Upon recommendations from Dr. Johnstone, the board also approved transferring Clarence Smithey to the position of assistant principal/athletic director at the middle school, with Jami Alwin to serve as assistant principal at Thomson and Beaver Valley next year.A final reading was held regarding Professional Staff Schedules and Calendars, with the board also conducting a first reading on the Staff General Leave policy, and briefly discussing administering medication, particularly EpiPens to students.BHS Principal Dan Kennedy announced that a new tradition started with this year's graduation ceremony with a BHS alum presenting the program. This year, United States Air Force Major Randy Carlson gave the address. "He is a really successful Brush graduate. He's a really great person to put out in front of our kids," he said.With a list of four or five already lined up for future graduation ceremonies, Kennedy said, "I'm excited. It will make our graduation better. It's a great way to celebrate Brush and celebrate our graduates." In other matters, Oberg reported that the 2014-15 proposed budget will be available for the public with a public forum and discussion scheduled at the next meeting on June 3, with board approval sought at the second June meeting.Several students and groups were recognized at the meeting including FFA state placers, the Nell Probst Essay winner, NJC Math/Science placers, the Mecha-Maniacs Robotics team and students from Beaver Valley who have been participating in an outreach project with Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center.The June 3 meeting is set at 6 p.m. with a work session and the regular meeting to begin at 7 p.m.